School of thought that focuses on how people think – how we
take in, process, store, and retrieve information.
Emphasizes how people think about and interpret a situation
Biological Perspective
School of thought that focuses on the physical structures and substances underlying a particular behavior, thought, or emotion
Behavior is explained by brain chemistry, genetics, glands, etc.
Social-Cultural Perspective
School of thought that focuses on how thinking or behavior changes in different situations or as a result of cultural influences.
Behavioral Perspective
Focus: How we learn through rewards, punishments, and observation
Behavior is explained by previous learning
Humanistic Perspective
Focus: How healthy people strive to reach their full potential
Behavior is explained as being motivated by satisfying needs (safety, hunger, thirst, etc.), with the goal of reaching one’s full potential once basic needs are met.
Psychodynamic Perspective
Focus: How behavior is affected by unconscious drives and conflicts
Behavior is explained through unconscious motivation and unresolved inner conflicts from one’s childhood.
Cognitive Perspective
School of thought that focuses on how people think – how we
take in, process, store, and retrieve information.
Emphasizes how people think about and interpret a situation
Biological Perspective
School of thought that focuses on the physical structures and substances underlying a particular behavior, thought, or emotion
Behavior is explained by brain chemistry, genetics, glands, etc.
Social-Cultural Perspective
School of thought that focuses on how thinking or behavior changes in different situations or as a result of cultural influences.
Behavioral Perspective
Focus: How we learn through rewards, punishments, and observation
Behavior is explained by previous learning
Humanistic Perspective
Focus: How healthy people strive to reach their full potential
Behavior is explained as being motivated by satisfying needs (safety, hunger, thirst, etc.), with the goal of reaching one’s full potential once basic needs are met.
Psychodynamic Perspective
Focus: How behavior is affected by unconscious drives and conflicts
Behavior is explained through unconscious motivation and unresolved inner conflicts from one’s childhood.
Modern version of psychoanalytic perspective.